Zoot Horn wrote:IIRC,, the EI's were made using the old telefunken equipment.

Really, well if quality control is good they ought to sound pretty good. George are these new production tubes? If so, they might be easier to get/replace and might be easy enough on the pocketbook to roll. Hmm?

ray

Magnaryder

Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.

Right now I'm listening to The Eagles(first pressing LP), Pet Sounds(180gm vinyl), Enlightened Rogues(first pressing),Rubber Soul(180gm vinyl) and Mahogany Rush Live(first pressing). I continue to be amazed by this little amp. I've gotten out my retired AN-9 speaker cables to see if they make a difference that I like in this setup. Tomorrow I install the DH Labs wire and the OPT fixture Mike brought to the Fest. More then...

ray

Magnaryder

Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.

Zoot Horn wrote:Nope-- they are no longer made-- I think a NATO airstrike smoked the factory-- get now if you can--they are that good!

One of the points of this experiment was to see if new manufacture tubes could be used and other premium or what's loosely called 'boutique' parts rolled in to get similar if not as good or better results. If that goal is achievable then we wouldn't have the dependence on highly priced unobtanium. But within budgets it is fun, ain't it?

I wonder if I get one of my amps to a reliable technician if it would perform any better than the one tested by those guys on the 'net? Does anyone know how to get in touch with Greg that roomed with Robert R? He's got the skills to do it. IIRC he lives in Michigan, right?

ray

Magnaryder

Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.

I've done some research on the internet and this is a summary of what I've learned about Elektronska Industrija or better known as EI of Yugoslavia. Contrary to popular belief, from some tube sellers (to increase prices) the EI factory was not destroyed in the war. If you do a Google search on EI Yugoslavia and page through the search results, you will find you'll find EI's outdated web site from April 2002 that states the factory was not destroyed in the Yugoslavia war (which was primarily between 1991 and 1995). EI produced tubes well after the war was over and this is a commonly known fact, as many popular online tube vendors sold these newer after war EI tubes. Current production of EI Vacuum tubes stopped many years ago and it will not resume. The primary difference after the war, was the quality of the tubes suffered greatly due to many factors such as shortages of quality materials and employee turnover which impacted quality control. There was also a UN embargo in place during this time which didn't help matters either. Quality issue, during and after the war are well documented on audio web site discussion boards.The actual EI factory building was sold around 2005-07 and the new owners of the building had no interest in vacuum tubes, so production will not resume in that building.

The most recent information on EI is that Western Electric did in fact attempt to purchase the tooling from the old EI plant back in 2006-07. It was reported (even by Western Electric) that they thought it was a done deal. Some industry insiders that I know, who have direct contact with employees at Western Electric were able to confirmed the transaction never went through however, due to a number of obstacles. So, it appears the old EI equipment is sitting in storage off site at a location close to the old factory. Hopefully, the new government will allow the equipment to be purchased by a tube manufacturer in the future and allow the equipment to leave the country, but right now it's sitting idle in storage.

Zoot Horn wrote: So, it appears the old EI equipment is sitting in storage off site at a location close to the old factory. Hopefully, the new government will allow the equipment to be purchased by a tube manufacturer in the future and allow the equipment to leave the country, but right now it's sitting idle in storage.

Thank you for the time you spent researching this George. Good info!

Maybe a letter writing campaign to Western Electric and the new government would help show there's an avenue for $$ to be made. Usually new jobs is enough to stir people into action. Let's hope Westrex can work it out and begin production again.

I read yesterday that LP production is almost at a saturation point world wide due to the lack of new machinery to press LPs. It seems the cost of producing new presses is so high no one, at least at this time can afford it. Folks that are pressing them now have local machine shops committed to making repairs so they can stay up and running.

ray

Magnaryder

Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.